Fight Motorcycle Theft is MAG’s campaign to reduce motorcycle theft on a local and national level. MAG are hosting a series of meetings across the UK in an attempt to combat motorcycle theft. These hustings style meetings bring together local police, local Politicians and local councils to give the public their chance to make suggestions about what can be implemented to tackle the problem. MAG has already delivered 6 successful public meetings aimed at raising the profile of the fight against motorcycle theft. Gillingham in Kent, Birmingham, Hertfordshire, Manchester, Hull and Leeds have seen meetings earlier this year with riders given the chance to hold the authorities to account. The previous meetings have seen tangible outcomes, and the hope is that the next meetings will be equally effective.

Meeting dates

The next meeting will be held in Hull on the 21st October. View the Facebook Event, Calendar Event or press release.

If you would like to be informed of event dates and locations when they are announced, or have suggestions of new areas to be covered please email central-office@mag-uk.org

• Kent- 15/03/23
• Birmingham-15/04/23
• Hertfordshire-14/06/23
• Manchester-21/09/23
• Hull- 21/10/23
• Nottingham- TBC
• Leeds-11/11/23
• London-TBC
• Cardiff-TBC
• Edinburgh-TBC

Current Action

MAG are committed to reducing motorcycle crime within the UK at both a local and national level by a variety of avenues. To help secure your motorcycle whilst at work Colin Brown, MAG’s Director of Campaigns & Political Engagement has produced an employer’s guide to secure motorcycle parking which is available for download as part of MAG’s Ride to Work Campaign resources.  Extensive work is also carried out by MAG groups on a local front to see the installation of anchor points and other security measures for motorcycles on a frequent basis. These groups and Local Reps are also crucial in the road show style anti-theft events taking place. 

Podcast, Steve Mallet on what happens after a motorcycle theft meeting

Steve Mallet South East rep and host of the first motorcycle theft meeting tells us the longer term outcomes.

Leeds Theft Meeting

Our 5th meeting was held in Leeds, in attendance were Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and Damien Miller, West Yorkshire Police Assistant Chief Constable.

Hull Theft Meeting

Humberside Police offer to form a motorcycle theft focus group at MAG’s Fight Motorcycle Theft meeting in Hull.  Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner, Jonathan Evison, and Operation Yellowfin lead, Chief Inspector Derek Hussain, are both backing this engagement having heard the concerns of local riders at the meeting.

Manchester Theft Meeting

Our 4th and latest meeting was held in Manchester, in attendance were Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor, Kate Green and Mike Parker, Chief Inspector for Roads Policing.

Speaking a few days after the event, Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor, Kate Green said

I would like to thank Motorcycle Action Group for hosting the event and inviting me along to speak with local members. It is important to listen to the concerns being raised to see how I, along with colleagues from Greater Manchester Police, can provide advice and support. This meeting also enabled Police to take details of issues to follow up on, which I hope demonstrates how we’re keen to work with community groups and that action will be taken where intelligence of criminal activity is received. Speaking to the group afterwards it felt that people had found it a meaningful session. I will certainly consider all the issues raised in planning and delivery of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Plan.

MAG also want to look into the under-reporting of motorcycle theft in more detail. We are keen to hear directly from anyone who has had a motorbike stolen and chosen not to report it to the police. For those how haven’t suffered a theft, in the event of a theft, would you consider not reporting it? Please let us know by emailing central-office@mag-uk.org

The Decline of Policing

Colin Brown Director of Campaigns and Political Engagement for the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) talks to Geoff Cadman on the decline in policing. MAG member Geoff spent 32 years in the police force in a number of roles from detached rural beat officer to Inspector. Here, in following to his soapbox article recently published in MAG magazine, Open Road, Geoff discusses the issues in current policing.

Kent Theft Meeting

The first meeting held was in Medway, Kent. As well as a good turnout from concerned local riders, the meeting saw promises from the PCC of funding for secure parking. Find further details of the Kent meeting in the video below.

North Kent MAG are arranging a follow up meeting with the Kent PCC (Matthew Scott) and Kent police (Inspector Jenner) to discuss what progress has been made since the March Public Meeting. The Police have been very accommodating and are arranging the venue and as North Kent MAG is very flexible and eager to progress the campaign. We are in also touch with the relevant personnel on Medway Council and BikerBiker and will be having another meeting with them as well to report on what the what further steps the PCC and Police are prepared to undertake.

Steve Mallett, South East MAG Rep

Motorcycle Theft = Motorcycle Casualties

Does motorcycle theft equal motorcycle casualties? Colin Brown, asked the question at the Strategic Policing and Crime Board meeting, and explains below why the statistics should encourage police to take more action to tackle motorcycle theft.

Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group

MAG are also highly active members of the Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group (MCRG). The MCRG is a partnership made up of representatives from rider interest groups, the insurance and security industries, motorcycle manufacturers and retailers, and the Police with links to, and contributions from, the Home Office.

From MAG member’s magazine Open Road issue September/October 2023

What You Can Do

To make these meetings a success we need your support. MAG encourages as many local riders as possible to attend a meeting near you to raise your specific questions and concerns. These meetings will follow the established format for MAG’s Fight Motorcycle Theft meetings with the audience Q&A session being the main event.

As well as your attendance we need help to spread awareness of the events, follow us on Facebook and our other social media channels. Hit ‘going’ on your local Fight Motorcycle Theft meeting Facebook event page and invite your friends.

Workplace Parking

For help improving the security of your workplace parking download or view MAG’s simple guide for employers on how to

provide good parking facilities for motorcyclists.

As part of MAG’s Ride to Work Campaign we have also produced a useful video for your employer. If you are a MAG member

and your workplace would like advice and guidance about facilities, please email central-office@mag-uk.org

EasyBlock

Our corporate member EasyBlock offer revolutionary motorcycle locks.

The lock is fitted directly to your motorcycle, so it’s always with you!

It only takes a second to activate and keeps your motorcycle secure every time you stop by immobilising the wheel or sprocket with a solid steel bolt.

Lock 2 Lock

MAG Foundation run a crime-stopping initiative to help tackle the curse of the theft of motorcycles and scooters. Called ‘Lock 2 Lock,’ the idea is simple. You loop your lock through another person’s lock. Each rider can then release their machine without the presence of the other rider or riders.

View more details of the Lock 2 Lock initiative here

Buy a Lock 2 Lock tag here